A Sexy New Patio, Live Music, Revamped Menu! Philippe Restaurant has Big Plans

Despite it being a humid and muggy Friday, Philippe Restaurant was bustling with media guests, live music, cocktails, and tasty bites for the grand opening of a new patio at Philippe.

While our readers, guests and regular Philippe Restaurant visitors speculate and ponder over Chef Philippe Schmit‘s absence at the restaurant, the new General Manager Dallas Easterly explains, “I am so excited to join the restaurant and as far as my knowledge goes, Philippe Schimit has decided to venture out to new projects. We are excited about the launch of this new patio and we are making an effort to bring more of a younger crowd to the restaurant, adding more easy to understand menus and live music. Someone from the suburbs should feel comfortable and confident to bring his girlfriend to Philippe and not be confused about the menu,” says Easterly.

The restaurant now plans to offer the best of both casual and fine dinning with the creative efforts of Chef Manuel Pucha. In 2004, Chef Manuel made the move to Houston with Chef Philippe, to be his Sous Chef of Bistro Moderne at the Hotel Derek and enjoyed a successful run at the highly acclaimed French Restaurant until Hotel Derek changed hands in 2007. Chef Manuel then spent the next few years gaining more experience through different avenues from hotels to opening other restaurants in Houston and Arizona.

We got a taste of some of his savory and sweet creations like Parmesan Tomato Soup with Basil Pesto, Osetra Caviar on a Fennel Emulsion with celery root and pear puree. Temptations like truffle Mac N’ Cheese Fries, Shrimp Cocktail with Cognac and Mango Salsa, and Salmon Gravlax with pink peppercorn crust were irresistible. The sweet menu was quite impressive too, starting from Key lime and white chocolate truffle, macaroon mix, sweet potato raspberry chocolate with churros spicy chocolate sauce to mini black forest cake.

Chef Manuel and Chef Philippe together collaborated on creating an exciting menu, offering guests French cuisine with a touch of Texas, and spent the next 2 years building and developing the menu. Together, they traveled to France and brought back new and exciting trends of the French culinary world. Chef Manuel is proud to have been by Chef Philippe’s side in 2012, as he was named one of the Maître Cuisiniers de France, Master Chef. However, upon Chef Philippe’s departure, now Executive Chef Manuel Pucha, will carry on and continue to offer his knowledge and love for food as Philippe Restaurant + Lounge continues to grow.